How to identify the Operating System in Windows & Mac computers

Operating system is the platform that connects the user with the hardware of a computer. In order to perform certain tasks we need to identify the OS that is installed in the computer for various reasons, it could be:

• to install any additional compatible software or applications, or 
• to troubleshoot certain issues with the computer, 
• to upgrade or update certain new definitions or patches for the OS or any installed applications.

Many would say that we can identify the OS when the computer boots or during the startup of the computer. Though this is a valid response or method, being a technical support executive we should know how to identify the OS at hot condition (that is after the computer is started).

The following are the few methods to identify the OS on a windows computer:

You may type the following on the run box or command prompt.

1. winver-> instant, a new pop-up box / window will open displaying the OS.
2. dxdiag -> it will process and the response will be slightly delayed depending on the processing speed of the computer, the information will be in detail.
3. msinfo32.exe-> instant, a new pop-up box / window will open displaying the OS & other related information.
4. wmic os get Caption,CSDVersion /value -> in cmd prompt window-> single line display of the OS name
5. systeminfo | findstr /B /C:"OS Name" /C:"OS Version" -> cmd -> 2 line information about the OS name and OS version.
6. systeminfo | findstr /C:"OS"-> cmd-> information reg the OS, Version, Manufacturer, System make, BIOS version.
7. systeminfo | findstr Build-> cmd -> 2 line information about the OS name and OS version.
8. cmd>ver->single line information about the OS version
9. Run>Regedit\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion -> Complete information about the OS